Yaoyu Continent.
At the center of the sky, a ring of golden light overflowed outward. Like ripples across water, it spread layer by layer, expanding in scope until the entire sky was covered in radiant gold.
An overwhelming pressure arose from nowhere, thread by thread winding around the hearts of every living being. It made one tremble in fear, yet also stirred an uncontrollable urge to kneel in worship.
Then, the Ascending Heavenly Ladder appeared, abrupt yet natural at the same time.
“The Ascending Heavenly Ladder!”
“It has appeared, it has finally appeared!”
“As long as we go up, we can attain immortality. At last, this opportunity has come!”
“After cultivating for a thousand years, I can finally ascend and become an immortal!”
Amid the excitement, someone broke down in tears.
Every thousand years, the Ascending Heavenly Ladder would appear once. Only those whose cultivation had reached the tenth realm, the Chaos Realm, were qualified to ascend it.
This time, seven people possessed the qualifications to ascend and achieve immortality, the highest number in history.
Among the seven, five were already elderly, one had reached middle age, and the remaining one was a very young and beautiful female cultivator.
Ning Zhishui wore a plain cyan robe. Her hair flowed like a waterfall, and she held her natal magic weapon, the Lonely Moon Sword. She looked up at the Ascension Ladder, and deep joy rose in her eyes.
Then she leapt lightly into the air and landed on the first step.
The Ascending Heavenly Ladder could only be climbed step by step. A barrier existed upon it, cutting off all spiritual power.
The other great powers were so overwhelmed with excitement that only after seeing Ning Zhishui’s movement did they react and follow her.
Ning Zhishui had just stepped onto it and climbed only a few steps when she sensed something was wrong.
A piercing pain spread throughout her body.
How could this be…
A look of pain appeared on her face. She stared in shock as blood began to seep from her skin, staining her robe with blossoms of red.
The bone deep agony eroded her relentlessly. Her body bent forward, trembling violently.
Using the sword in her hand as support, she leaned on it and barely managed to remain standing.
Clenching her teeth, Ning Zhishui looked toward the other six with fear and confusion in her eyes.
Why were they unharmed?
Old Chen burst into laughter and quickly passed by her. As he walked past, he kicked her casually as if she were a stone blocking his path. A faint green protective barrier rose around his body.
“Daoist Ning, you did not know, did you? The Ascending Heavenly Ladder is actually the final trial before ascension. It seems you will not be able to pass.”
Another old man, Old Zhang, stepped over her and added another kick.
“That is only natural. Who told Daoist Ning to have no family backing her?”
“Hah. Her entire family has long been wiped out. It is said they were all steeped in evil and deserved to die.”
“This must be retribution. It serves her right that she cannot endure the Heavenly Ladder.”
“Exactly. The secret of this final step is known only to great aristocratic families with generations of inheritance. Even though Daoist Ning reached the Chaos Realm at such a young age and stood shoulder to shoulder with us, what is the use? It is all in vain.”
“Haha. The Dissolving Gold Veil refined from my clan’s heart blood is truly useful. Walking the Heavenly Ladder, I am completely unharmed by this immortal qi.”
“My Jade Spirit artifact is no ordinary treasure either. The younger generation of my family spent over a hundred years condensing it from the Four Sacred Pools.”
“My Silent Void Bell is also exceptional. It was forged from years of cultivation gathered from my descendants.”
Carrying their treasures, they left Ning Zhishui behind. Each of them either kicked or shoved her, treating her like an ant incapable of resistance. Their smugness was unmistakable.
Ning Zhishui had reached the Chaos Realm at such a young age and stood equal to these aristocratic elders. Across the continent, countless people praised her while belittling the other six. It seemed that she alone was a true genius, while they, who relied on ancestral protection, were nothing but useless wastes.
Now they had finally vented their anger.
What genius? She would still fall here in the end.
Wracked with pain, Ning Zhishui was already bent over and barely standing. After being kicked and shoved, she collapsed onto the ground.
If she had not pressed her remaining strength against the ground, she might have rolled down the steps.
She suddenly raised her head. Hatred and shock erupted in her eyes.
Immortal qi. The thing that injured her was immortal qi.
So that was it.
The Ascending Heavenly Ladder connected to the Upper Realm. During ascension, a trace of immortal qi would overflow. However, the barrier around the ladder prevented it from flowing into the lower realm.
Immortal qi was something all cultivators coveted. Yet without truly becoming immortal, it was as deadly as poison.
These great aristocratic powers had inherited this secret through generations and prepared defensive treasures in advance.
But a lone cultivator like Ning Zhishui had no way of hearing even a whisper of it.
The Heavenly Dao’s final checkpoint was so ruthless. Even a mere touch could claim one’s life.
At this point, even stepping off the Heavenly Ladder would not save her.
Ning Zhishui’s heart sank bit by bit. Her body became battered and broken, and her gaze gradually lost focus.
In her ears came their triumphant, mocking laughter.
“Daoist Ning, why are you sitting on the ground? Come ascend the ladder with us.”
“Haha. Perhaps she does not move because she has never liked moving.”
“I think so too. The scenery up here is too beautiful. Daoist Ning cannot bear to leave.”
“Why call her Daoist? From now on she is no longer—eh, who is that?”
“This! How is there an eighth person ascending?”
An eighth person?
Ning Zhishui struggled to open her eyes. She only saw a tall figure in azure flash past. Someone had overtaken the onlookers and stood upon the steps at incredible speed.
Who was it?
“What have you done?” a young male voice shouted coldly.
“Who are you?” Old Chen demanded in shock.
The man did not respond.
Ning Zhishui could no longer see clearly. Everything blurred, and her hearing gradually faded.
She sensed someone approaching rapidly amid the others’ exclamations. Warm hands supported her waist.
“That mirror, how did you—”
What mirror?
Was he speaking to her?
Who was he?
Ning Zhishui tried with all her strength to open her eyes and see the newcomer, but she failed.
She felt the warmth draining rapidly from her body. The pain grew weaker. Her body became light.
Then she fell into endless darkness.
“I cannot die!”
She suddenly opened her eyes and shot upright, her voice filled with unwillingness.
Those people ascended alone, relying entirely on draining the blood and cultivation of their clans. They became immortals, but their families would be set back hundreds of years because of them.
What right did they have to flaunt their superiority before her and kick her when she was down, revealing their true faces?
But after shouting, she startled herself with how strong and vigorous her voice sounded.
What was going on?
Looking around in confusion, Ning Zhishui realized she was in her own room, lying on her bed.
And it was the house where the Ning family had once lived together hundreds of years ago.
“What are you yelling for?”
A voice came from the doorway. The door was pushed open, revealing an expressionless face tinged with faint disgust.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties. He had a baby face and delicate features, yet his expression was difficult to approach.
“Second Brother, how are you still alive…”
Ning Zhishui was stunned.
Am I dreaming? How am I seeing my Second Brother who died long ago?
I perished on the Ascending Heavenly Ladder. How was my divine sense preserved?
Why do I feel no weakness or discomfort at all?
Ning Chengfeng was also stunned.
What had he just heard?